Squeezer.



W. M. HOLLOWAY.

SQUEEZER.

APPLICATION FILED PBB.27,190B.

941, 146. Patented Nov. 23, 1909.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

WILLIAM M. HOLLOWAY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

SQUEEZER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed February 27, 1908.

Patented Nov.

23, 1909. Serial No. 418,054.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, VILLIAM M. Home \VAY, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Chicago, Cook county, Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Squeezers; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the characters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

This invention relates to that class of squeezers used for setting can heads on can bodies and for analogous purposes. Squeezers of this class are extensively used in can factories but heretofore it has been necessary to accurately insert the end of the body into the head or cap and center both in the machine manually. This has of necessity resulted in imperfect work and has necessarily been slower than desirable. Furthermore, in many instances when inserting can bodies which had been slightly deformed or dented, it was impossible to secure satisfactory register in the cap, and in consequence, defective closing occurred.

The object of this invention is to afford a construction in which a cap centering guide normally extending below the top of the squeezer jaws acts to center and hold the cap in place until engaged by the jaws.

It is further an object of the invention to afford a construction in which adjustable body centering and forming jaws are adapted to engage the can body to insure correct form thereof and insert the end of the body within the flanges of the head.

The invention consists in the matters hereinafter described and more fully pointed out and defined in the appended claims.

In the drawings: Figure 1 is a fragmentary top plan view of a device embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is a section taken on line 2-2 of Fig. *1. fragmentary view on the same section with Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a fragmentary section on line 4=4 of Fig. l. *ig. 5 is an enlarged detail illustrating the construction and operation of the head guide and squeezer jaw.

As shown in the drawings: A indicates a table supported upon suitable legs or a frame a. Journaled transversely of the frame is a driving shaft B, provided with a Fig. 3 is an enlarged l driving pulley Z), as is usual. Slidably engaged on the table and extending inwardly I from each side thereof at right angles with each other are reciprocating squeezer bars C, as shown four in number, and at their edges rabbeted to be engaged by the slide bars 0, which are complementally rabbeted and are rigidly bolted to the table, as shown in Fig. 4.. Rigidly bolted on the inner end of each of said squeezer bars C, are the squeezer jaws C, which are shaped to suit the kind or size of can to be constructed, and being four in number, when the jaws are closed inwardly engage the entire periphery of the head to press the head flange onto the can body. Positioned between the jaws centrally is the squeezer block D, upon which the head of the can rests, and on which is secured a form or die (Z, shaped to conform to the under surface of the head when placed thereon.

Supported on the squeezer jaws C is a centering guide E, comprising an annular metallic plate shaped to receive the cap therein before closing the flanges, as shown in Fig. 5. Said guide is at all times held in central position but free to move vertically, by means of metallic straps c, which are riveted or bolted on opposite sides the centering guide and the outer end of which may extend into and may slide upwardly in laterally disposed guide blocks e, each of which is provided with an inwardly facing seat to receive the rounded ends of said straps or bars 6. Said centering guide is provided with a downwardly projecting flange 6 along its inner edge, which affords an inclined face on the outer side, as shown in Fig. 5. As shown, the flange of the cap bears against the inner face of the centering guide or said flange 0 which projects below the top of the squeezer jaws. The forward movement of the squeezer jaws lifts said centering guide inasmuch as the jaws bear against said inclined face of the flange so that just as said guide passes upwardly out of engagement with the head flange :12, the squeezer jaws engage said flange to press the same inwardly against the can body.

The squeezer jaws may, of course, be actuated in any suitable manner. As shown, a cam or eccentric is provided on the main driving shaft B, and extending upwardly therefrom is a reciprocating rod 5 slidable between the guides t secured below the table. Said rod 6 is connected with the eccentric collar 6 by means of an eccentric rod 6 Pivotally engaged below the table are levers Z), the shorter ends of which extend upwardly through the table and engage in suitable apertures in the squeezer bars 0 The lower and longer ends of said levers ex tend downwardly from the pivot and are pivotally engaged at their extremities with links 6 the other ends of which are pivotally engaged on a nut b threaded on the rod 6 as shown in Fig. 2, so that downward movement of the rod 6 acts to reciprocate all the jaws simultaneously inward to the same extent, and upward movement of the eccentric rod acts to shift the jaws outwardly. The throw of the jaws may, of course, be regulated to a considerable extent by adjusting the nut'b upwardly or downwardly on the rod 6 and furthermore by the well known expedient of affording adjustable bearings for the pivots on the levers b.

Slidably supported on each of the jaws is the forming and centering jaws G, the inner ends of which are shaped to engage the sides and edges of the cam preliminary to the closing of thesqueezer jaws and act to press .the can to correct any imperfect or de formed portions thereon, and also center the same in the cap. Ext-ending rearwardly from each of said forming and centering jaws is a shank g, slidably engaging between the ribs 9 carried on the squeezer jaws as shown in Fig. 1, and as shown, milled from a single plate or bar of metal rigidly bolted to said jaw. Rigidly bolted to the rear end of said shank is a transverse bar which extends laterally and projects at its ends over each of the slide bars 0, for the squeezer jaw and is adapted to engage a stop g rigidly but adjustably secured on one of the slide bars to limit the inward movement of the head. As shown also, a spring g engages centrally against said bar 9 and against a stop g carried on the end of the squeezer bar and acts to press said forming head inwardly.

The operation is as follows: The can cap is inserted on the squeezer block and in the centering guide and the jaws being retracted a can body is next positioned with its end inserted between the forming and centering jaws G, in which position the usual clamping head H, such as heretofore has been employed in machines of the kind, engages on the upper end of the can body and presses the same downwardly. At this moment the throw of the eccentric b shifts the squeezer jaws inwardly carrying the forming and centering jaws g slightly in advance thereof, inasmuch as the same are spring impelled, until said centering and forming jaws engage the sides and edges of the can body centering the same exactly in the head and correcting any imperfections or dents. At this moment, the transverse bar 9 engages the adjustable stop 9", thus holding the forming and centering jaws from further inward movement but permitting the same to exert some pressure on the can. The squeezer jaws continue the inward movement, the front faces of the jaws first engaging the inclined flange 6 on the centering guide forcing the jaw upwardly until at the moment said guide rises above the flange 00, of the head the squeezer jaws engage the flange and close the same inwardly upon the can body. At this moment the eccentric 6 passes the limit of its throw in one direction and the upward movement of the eccentric rod begins, retracting the squeezer jaws, the centering and forming jaws and permitting the centering guide to again fall to position to engage the next cap. At the moment of such release the eccentric B on the shaft B actuates the rod 6 to lift the clamping jaw H from the upper end of the can body and the can may be lifted out.

Many details of construction may be varied without departing from the principles of this invention and I therefore do not desire to limit this application for patent otherwise than necessitated by the prior art.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a device of the class described squeezer jaws, a centering guide for the heads supported thereon and adapted to engage the head fianges and body forming jaws movable with the squeezer jaws a predetermined distance and adapted to yield relatively thereof after moving said distance.

2. In a device of the class described squeezer jaws, body centering jaws and a head centering guide between the squeezer jaws and centering jaws.

3. In a machine of the class described a squeezer block, an annular centering guide for the heads in which the heads accurately fit and which positions the heads accurately on the block, and body centering jaws movable above the head centering guide.

4. In a machine of the class described a squeezer block, reciprocating squeezer jaws, a movable head centering guide resting on the squeezer jaws adapted to position the head accurately relatively to the block and jaws and means secured to the centering guide adapted to guide said centering guide when moving.

5. In a machine of the class described a squeezer block, reciprocating squeezer jaws surrounding the same, a reciprocating head centering guide surrounding the block and extending partly below the jaws, an inclined part on said guide adapted to be engaged by the jaws to reciprocate the guide out of the path of the jaws just as the jaws engage the head flanges, and means guiding the reciprocating centering guide adapting said guide to assume normal position by gravity.

6. In a machine of the class described a squeezer block, reciprocating squeezer jaws surrounding the same, an upwardly movable head centering guide supported on the jaws with the inner face thereof extending below the jaws, an inclined part on said guide whereby the forward movement of the jaws acts to lift the guide, to expose the head flanges to the jaws and reciprocating center ing jaws for the can body.

7. In a machine of the class described a head centering guide, body centering and forming guides non-connected with the head centering guide and acting automatically to center the can body in the head, squeezer jaws and springs yieldingly forcing the body centering and forming guides to move with the squeezer jaws a suitable distance.

8. In a can heading squeezer a head centering guide and yielding impelled body centering and forming guides acting to register the can body with the head.

9. In a can heading squeezer the squeezer jaws, a head centering guide and body cen tering guides moving with and independently of the squeezer jaws and acting to apply yielding pressure on the can body to correct its shape and to register the end thereof with the head.

10. In a device of the class described a squeezer block, a die thereon, squeezer jaws adapted to coact with the die, and body centering jaws carried by the squeezer jaws and having a movement independent of said squeezer aws.

11. In a device of the class described a squeezer block, a die supported thereon, squeezer jaws adapted to coact with the die, a can head centering member around the die, and guides above the head centering member for centering the body 011 the head.

12. In a device of the class described a squeezer block, a die supported thereon, squeezer jaws adapted to coact with the die, a can head centering member around the die, yielding guides above the head centering member for centering the body on the head and adjustable stops for limiting the inward movement of the body centering guides.

13. In a device of the class described squeezerjaws, a head centering guide loosely supported thereon adapted to move vertically, and movable means secured to the head centering guide for holding the guide centralized.

14. In a device of the class described a table, a block thereon, a die supported on said block, squeezer jaws arranged about said block and slidable on the table, a head centering guide vertically movable, means holding the head centering guide from movement other than vertical, body forming and centering jaws slidably supported on the squeezer jaws, means moving the body forming and centering jaws inwardly with the squeezer jaws and stops for limiting the inward movement of the body forming and centering jaws.

15. In a device of the class described a frame, squeezer jaws, levers pivoted to the frame engaging the squeezer jaws, adjustable means connected with said levers for regulating the throw of said levers, means for actuating the levers, guides movable with the squeezer jaws, springs for actuating said guides independently of the squeezer jaws and means for limiting the movement of the guides.

16. In a device of the class described a frame, a block thereon for supporting a can body and a head, squeezer jaws, each notched at its outer end, "uides for said jaws rigidly secured to the frame, guides rigidly secured to the squeezer jaws, body centering jaws engaged in said last named guides, a block rigidly secured to each body centering jaw engaging in the notched part of the respective squeezer jaws, springs, one for forcing each block and body centering jaw inwardly, adjustable stops, one for limiting the inward movement of each body centering jaw, and means for forcing the squeezer jaws inwardly and said springs forcing the centering jaws inwardly in advance of the squeezer jaws a predetermined distance.

17. In a device of the class described a frame, a block thereon for supporting a can body and a head, squeezer jaws, each notched at its outer end, guides for said jaws rigidly secured to the frame, guides rigidly secured to the squeezer jaws, body centering jaws engaged in said last named guides, a block rigidly secured to each jaw engaging in the notched part of the respective squeezer jaws, springs, one for forcing each block and body centering jaw inwardly, adjustable stops, one for limiting the inward movement of each body centering jaw, means for forcing the squeezer jaws inwardly and said spring forcing the centering jaws inwardly in advance of the squeezer jaws a predetermined distance, a one piece centering member for the head of the can and means for guiding the centering member when moving.

18. In a device of the class described squeezer jaws, body centering jaws, and a loosely supported head centering guide be tween the squeezer jaws and body centering jaws adapted to be automatically adjusted by the squeezer jaws to clear the head.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

K. E. HANNAH, LAWRENOE REIBSTEIN. 

